Read the passage below and then choose the best answer to each question. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.
Passage
The first known use of the term "America" to refer to land in the Western Hemisphere comes from a world map produced in 1507 by German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller. A book accompanying the map explained that the term came from "Amerigo the discoverer"-a reference to Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian who had traveled to the east coast of what is now South America in the early 1500s. But Waldseemueller appears to have had second thoughts about the term "America." In an atlas he published in 1513, the land formerly called "America" was labeled Terra Incognita (unknown land).
Why is the phrase "Amerigo the discoverer" (sentence 2) placed in quotation marks?
- A. To show that it is important
- B. To indicate that it is a direct quotation from a book
- C. To question whether Vespucci really discovered America
- D. To highlight the differences between the map and the book
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The phrase "Amerigo the discoverer" is placed in quotation marks to indicate that it is a direct quotation from a book, reflecting the specific wording used by the author. This helps readers recognize that the phrase is not the writer's own interpretation but a citation from another source. Option A is incorrect because quotation marks do not inherently signify importance. Option C misinterprets the purpose of the quotation marks, as they do not imply skepticism about Vespucci's discovery. Option D is also inaccurate, as the quotation marks focus on the phrase itself rather than any differences between a map and a book.
The phrase "Amerigo the discoverer" is placed in quotation marks to indicate that it is a direct quotation from a book, reflecting the specific wording used by the author. This helps readers recognize that the phrase is not the writer's own interpretation but a citation from another source. Option A is incorrect because quotation marks do not inherently signify importance. Option C misinterprets the purpose of the quotation marks, as they do not imply skepticism about Vespucci's discovery. Option D is also inaccurate, as the quotation marks focus on the phrase itself rather than any differences between a map and a book.
Other Related Questions
We can infer that the reason the glass tubes were bent was that
- A. the Paris Exposition display was considered unsatisfactory
- B. straight tubes are not as bright as bent ones
- C. it is difficult to form letters with straight tubes
- D. neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The bending of glass tubes is primarily linked to the ability to form letters and shapes, making option C the most logical choice. Bent tubes allow for the creation of recognizable letters, essential for signage. Option A suggests the display's quality influenced the design, but it lacks direct relevance to the functionality of the tubes. Option B implies that brightness is affected by the shape of the tubes, which is misleading; brightness is more about gas type and tube diameter than shape. Option D inaccurately claims that neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes; gas longevity is not dependent on tube shape but rather on electrical conditions and gas quality.
The bending of glass tubes is primarily linked to the ability to form letters and shapes, making option C the most logical choice. Bent tubes allow for the creation of recognizable letters, essential for signage. Option A suggests the display's quality influenced the design, but it lacks direct relevance to the functionality of the tubes. Option B implies that brightness is affected by the shape of the tubes, which is misleading; brightness is more about gas type and tube diameter than shape. Option D inaccurately claims that neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes; gas longevity is not dependent on tube shape but rather on electrical conditions and gas quality.
The author of the passage does which of the following?
- A. Relates a personal anecdote
- B. Provides statistical data
- C. Quotes a named authority
- D. Challenges an official view
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author quotes a named authority to lend credibility to their argument, enhancing the passage's persuasive impact. This approach allows the reader to see the author's position supported by established expertise. Option A is incorrect as there is no personal anecdote shared; the focus remains on authoritative sources. Option B is not applicable since the passage lacks statistical data, relying instead on qualitative support. Option D is also wrong; the author does not challenge an official view but rather reinforces their argument through the cited authority, maintaining a respectful stance towards existing perspectives.
The author quotes a named authority to lend credibility to their argument, enhancing the passage's persuasive impact. This approach allows the reader to see the author's position supported by established expertise. Option A is incorrect as there is no personal anecdote shared; the focus remains on authoritative sources. Option B is not applicable since the passage lacks statistical data, relying instead on qualitative support. Option D is also wrong; the author does not challenge an official view but rather reinforces their argument through the cited authority, maintaining a respectful stance towards existing perspectives.
In context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 9 and 10 (reproduced below)? These robots are equipped with cameras and video screens. The robots allow the home-bound workers to attend meetings and interact more personally with their coworkers.
- A. These robots, while being equipped with cameras and video screens, allow the home-bound workers to attend meetings, interact more personally with their coworkers
- B. These robots are equipped with cameras and video screens, moreover, they allow the home-bound workers to attend meetings and interact more personally with their coworkers.
- C. Equipped with cameras and video screens, these robots allow the home-bound workers to attend meetings and interact more personally with their coworkers.
- D. In order to allow the workers to attend meetings and interact more personally with their coworkers, these robots are equipped with cameras and video screens
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C effectively combines the two sentences by starting with a participial phrase, "Equipped with cameras and video screens," which succinctly conveys essential information about the robots while maintaining clarity. This structure emphasizes the robots' capabilities and their purpose in a streamlined manner. Option A introduces unnecessary complexity with "while being," making the sentence less direct and harder to follow. Option B uses "moreover," which is inappropriate for connecting the two ideas and creates a run-on sentence that disrupts the flow. Option D alters the focus by suggesting that the robots are equipped solely for the purpose of allowing interaction, which misrepresents the original intent and adds unnecessary wording.
Option C effectively combines the two sentences by starting with a participial phrase, "Equipped with cameras and video screens," which succinctly conveys essential information about the robots while maintaining clarity. This structure emphasizes the robots' capabilities and their purpose in a streamlined manner. Option A introduces unnecessary complexity with "while being," making the sentence less direct and harder to follow. Option B uses "moreover," which is inappropriate for connecting the two ideas and creates a run-on sentence that disrupts the flow. Option D alters the focus by suggesting that the robots are equipped solely for the purpose of allowing interaction, which misrepresents the original intent and adds unnecessary wording.
Despite the difficulties he had encountered, the mountain climber had no fear when it ________ to high mountains.
- A. comes
- B. came
- C. has come
- D. had come
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B, "came," is appropriate here as it uses the simple past tense, which aligns with the context of the sentence about the climber's past experiences with high mountains. This tense indicates a completed action in the past, fitting well with "despite the difficulties he had encountered." Option A, "comes," is incorrect because it uses the simple present tense, which does not match the past context of the sentence. Option C, "has come," is also unsuitable since it implies a connection to the present, which does not align with the past experiences being discussed. Option D, "had come," suggests a past perfect tense that is unnecessary in this context, as the simple past suffices to convey the intended meaning.
Option B, "came," is appropriate here as it uses the simple past tense, which aligns with the context of the sentence about the climber's past experiences with high mountains. This tense indicates a completed action in the past, fitting well with "despite the difficulties he had encountered." Option A, "comes," is incorrect because it uses the simple present tense, which does not match the past context of the sentence. Option C, "has come," is also unsuitable since it implies a connection to the present, which does not align with the past experiences being discussed. Option D, "had come," suggests a past perfect tense that is unnecessary in this context, as the simple past suffices to convey the intended meaning.